Rail retaining key



June 14, 1932. Q YOUNG 1,863,145

RAIL RETAINING KEY Filed July 13, 1951 3 SheetsSheet 1 FIG I.

WI T NEssEs gZZiQ BY W Z INVENTOR:

' ATTORNEYS.

June 14, 1932. D. YOUN 1,863,145

K RAIL RETAINING KEY Filed July 13, 1951 3 sheets-sheet 2 FIG N 29 6 0g5" 5 0 a 22 j 0 5 9 J 2% 25 A? I ,M

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" TNESSES Z Z9 INVENTOR: Zaslllfizmg I June 14; 1932. c. D, YOUNG1,863,145

RAIL RETAINING KEY Filed July 13, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I FIGXl I 5 7,31 3.5 J Z7 5 Z9 FYCi-DZL 4 $6 Y W .97 Z5 INVENTOR:

(WZesDJfizmg BY TTORNEYS.

Patented June 14, 1932 PAT ENT OFFICE CHARLES D. YOUNG, HAVERFORD,PENNSYLVANIA.

RAIL RETAINING KEY Application filed July 13, 1931. Serial No. 550,432.

This invention relates to rail retaining keys, and more particularly tomeans for re taining rails upon underlying tie plates, though in usingthe term tie plate herein I mean to include any form of plate, tie orfoundation, upon which the base of a rail is adapted to rest or to besecured.

The principal object of the present invention is to provideincombination with a rail 1 and tie plate, a fulcrum member of specialformation associated with the tie plate either as an integral orseparate part, and a spring key which may be quickly and readily appliedto or removed from the rail, and which Whenapplied is caught yieldinglyin a predetermined position with a portion thereof bearing against thefulcrum member and anothler portion in pressure contact with the I amfully aware that it has heretofore been proposed to employ resilientretaining keys fulcrumed for pressure contact on a rail base, and myinvention is incontrast with such prior devices in that the resilientretaining key and fulcrum member are so formed that when assembledtogether the end of the key bears upon the upper'surface of the railbase at a predetermined point and with a predetermined pressure.Accordingly, in a length of track embodying my invention, the rails aresecured to their foundations with uniformity of restraint againstvertical movement at all points therealong.

My invention is also characterized by the provision of complementarycurved bearing surfaces on the-spring retaining key and fulcrum member,whereby the driving of the key into place causes an automatic seating ofthe same in its ther provision of a sharply bent' portion adapted tocatch yieldingly on an angular surfaceof thetie plate to assist in theseat- L ing of the retaining key, as well as to resist dislodgmentthereof incident to the vibration or movement of the rail under passingloads.

Other objects and advantages characteristic of my present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the description of several examples ofthe practice thereof which proper position; and by the furfollowshereinafter, having reference to the accompanying drawings, whereof:

Fig. I represents a plan view, with the rail shown in section, of a railand tie plate assembly with one form of spring key and fulcrumcombination shown at the left hand of the figure and another suchcombination shown at the right hand of the figure.

Fig. II represents a cross section of the same, taken as indicated bythe lines II-II 6 of Fig. I, with the key shown inside elevation. i

Fig. III represents a plan view, with the rail shown in section, of amodified form of rail, tie plate and spring key assembly.

Fig. IV represents .a cross section of the same, taken as indicated bythe lines IV-IV of Fig. III, with the key shown in side elevation.

Fig. V represents a cross section, taken as 7 indicated by the lines V-Vof Fig. III.

Fig. VI represents a cross section corresponding to Fig. V, but showinga modified form of tie plate fulcrum member.

Fig. VII represents a plan view, with the rail shown in section, of anadditional modified form of rail, tie plate and spring key assembly,with one form of spring key shown at the left hand of the figure andanother format the right hand of the figure.

Fig. VIII represents a cross section of the same, taken as indicated bythe lines VIII VIII of Fig. VII, with the key shown in side elevation. Y

Fig. IX represents a cross section, taken '85 as indicated by the linesIXIX of Fig, VII; and, s i

Figs. X and XI represent cross sections of -modified forms of springkeys showing longitudinal stiffening ribs formed thereon.

In all of the figures referred to above, the

rail is designated at 1, and its base is designated at 2. Each rail base2 is seated between upstanding ribs 3of customary form on an underlyingtieplate. For convenience the various forms of tie plates are designatedwith reference to their end portions by the numerals 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d and46, there being selected for illustration tie plates of graduallydiminishing thickness effecting a slight inclination to the rail.

With reference to the assembly at the left hand of Figs. I and II, thereis shown a rail retaining key 5a in combination with fulcrum members 6aformed on the end portion 4a of the tie plate. In this'example thefulcrum members 6a comprise opposite upstanding lugs punched from thetie plate and turned over so that their ends 7 lie in a horizontalplane. At the underside of the lug ends 7, smoothly curvedbearingsurfaces 8 are provided for engagement with the spring key 5a. As shownin Figs. IT and V, the opening formed by the punching of the lugsaffords a sharp angular edge 9 beneath the fulcrum members 6a.

v The spring key 5a of this assembly has an upwardly deflected endportion 10 hearing on the rail base 2 in pressure contact therewith andwithout sharp edges biting into the rail base. At the opposite end thekey 5a is bent to form a spring loop 11 which tenninates in a sharplybent extremity 12 adapted to .catch yieldingly on the angular surface 9of the tie plate. At the intermediate portion 13 between-the loop 11 andthe end portion 10, the key 5a is bowed with a curvature complementaryto the curved bearing surfaces 8 of the fulcrum members 6a.

The manner of assembling the spring key 5a will be apparent from theabove description, it being merely necessary in applying the key todirect it properly towards the rail base and to deliver a blow upon theback of the spring loop 11 to cause the key to move inward into pressurecontact with the rail base and to the point where the sharply bentextremity 12 passes over and catches on the edge 9 at the tie plateopening. When so I driven the spring loop 11 will expand to mined properposition.

cause the key 501. to be seated in its predeter- To disengage the key 5afrom the tie plate, it is merely necessary to compress the spring loop11,. as by a wedge applied beneath the loop, and then to apply a forcein a direction transverse'to the rail to cause the key to move outward.

With reference to the assembly at the right hand of Figs. l and H, thereis shown a rail retaining key 5?) in combination with a fulcrum member6?) which constitutes a separate attachment rather than an integral partof the end portion 46 of the tie plate. In this example the fulcrummember 6?) is in the formof a stirrup of inverted U-shape with its ends13 passed through slots 14 in the end portion 4?) of the tie plate andbent over to lie 1n a horizontal plane. The stirrup ends 13 areaccommodated within a recess 15 of corresponding size at the bottom ofthe tie plate."

At the underside of the central portion of the fulcrum member 66, asmoothly curved bearmg surface 16 is provided for engagement with thespring key 5.7). The end portion a?) posite end the key 5?) is bent toform a loop 20,

which terminates in a sharply bent extremity 21 adapted to catchyieldingly on the inner edge 18 of the boss 17. At the intermediateportion between the loop 20 and the end portion 19, the key 5?) isrelatively flat except for an offset 22 which is curved complementary tothe curved bearing surface 16 of the fulcrum member 6?).

The manner of assembling the spring key 5?) is similar to the manner ofassembling the previously described key 5a, it being merely necessary inapplying the key to direct it properly towards the rail base and todeliver a blow upon the back of the spring loop 20 to cause the key tomove inward into pressure contact with the rail base, and to the pointwhere the sharply bent extremity 21 passes over the edge 18 of the boss17. When so driven the spring loop 20 will expand to cause the key 5?)to be seated in its predetermined proper position.

With reference to the assembly of Figs. TH and TV, there is shown a tieplate with end portions 40 having fulcrum members 60 at each sidethereof and spring keys 50. In this example the fulcrum members 60 arein the form of oppositely projecting lugs and are substantially similarto the fulcrum mem her (is previously described, except that theircurved bearing surfaces 23 are described with shorter radii. At theouter edge of the tie plate to an upstanding marginal boss 24 isprovided. The spring key a succession of waves or corrugations. At theend 25 it bears upon the rail base 2; at the end 26 it is sharply bentto catch on the boss 24 of the tie plate; and at the intermediateportion there is a concave region 27 with a curvature complementary tothe curved hearing surfaces 23 of the fulcrum members 60. Screw spikes28 are conveniently employed in this example for securing the tie plate40 to the tie 29.

The manner of assembling the spring key 50 will be apparent from theabove descrip- 50 is formed with tion. The key is driven towards therail base to the point where the concave region 27 engages the undersideof the fulcrum (in. At

this point the sharply bent extremity 26 will combination with any ofthe spring keys herein described. In this example the tie plate 4d ispunched to provide upstanding lugs with inturned ends 30, forming aU-shaped 1 bowed are shown in cross section.

stirrup with openings 31 at the sides thereof. As shown by the brokenand full lines, the ends 30 are provided at the underside with curvedbearing surfaces 32.

With reference to the assembly of Figs. VII and VIII, there is shown atie plate with end portions 4e'having the edges 33 thereof turned upwardto extend above the rail base 2. Between the upturned edges 33 and theshort upstanding ribs 3, the base of the tie plate is verticallyolfsetto provide a boss 34 and a recess 35 therebeneath. The tie plate endportion 46 is secured to its tie 29 by screw spikes 28. Fulcrum members66 in the form of stirrups of inverted U-shape are provided at each sideof the tie plate, their ends 36 passing through slots 37 in the tieplate and being bent over within the recesses 35 at the bottom of thetie plate. The stirrups 6e are substantially similar to the stirrup 66previously described, and are provided with smoothly curved bearingsurfaces 38.

At the left hand of Figs. VII and VIII there is shown a spring key 56having one end 39 in contact with the rail base 2, having the oppositeend 40 sharply bent to catch yieldingly on the upturned edge 33 of thetie plate, and having an intermediate portion with a hump 41'and anadjacent curved surface 42 in engagement with the curved bearing surfaceof the fulcrum member 6a and complementary thereto. At the right hand ofFigs. VII and VIII there is shown a spring key 57 having a deflected end43, having an opposite end 44 sharply bent to catch on the turned endportion 33 of the tie plate, and having an intermediate bowed portion 45in engagement with the curved bearing surface 38 of the fulcrum member6/. It will be noted that in this example the curved bearing surface 38of the fulcrum member is described with a radius shorter than the radiusof the portion 45 of the spring key 5]".

The manner of assembling and disassembling the spring keys 5c and 5)will be apparent from their description.

In Figs. X and XI spring keys 5g and 5h In Fig. X the key 59 is providedwith a longitudinal rib 46. In Fig. XI the key 5k is provided with alongitudinal rib 47 and a corresponding depression 48 at the oppositeside thereof. The ribs 46 and 47 serve to stiffen the spring keys andthus to provide greater capacity for flexure without acquiring apermanent set.

In all of the assemblies described above the spring keys are providedwith curved portions complementary to curved bearing surfaces on thecorresponding fulcrum member, except that in Fig. VIII the spring key 5fis provided with a bowed intermediate region 45 described with asomewhat greater radius than the corresponding curved bearing surface38.-, In every example the spring key is adapted to catch yieldingly ona portion of the tie plate so that the ultimate position of the key is amatter of choice and not of chance. Furthermore, in every example thespring key is formed by preference with an 'upward deflection at itsinner end so that this end will not bite. into the metal of the rail 1.Hence creeping of the rail will not tend to dislodge the retaining key.When the key is driven it will automatically seat itself when it hasreached a predetermined position on the rail base, irrespective of theforce of the driving blow.

While I have described a number of examples of the practice of myinvention, it will be apparent that other modifications may be made inthe form of tie-plate, spring key and fulcrum member without departingfrom the spirit of my invention as defined in the claims hereto annexed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a rail and tie plate, a fulcrum member on the tieplate affording a curved bearing surface, and a spring key having oneend engaging the rail base and the other end engaging the tie plate, andhaving an intermediate curved portion complementary to the curvedbearing surface of the fulcrum member and in contact therewith.

.2. In combination with a rail and tie plate. a fulcrum member carriedon the tie plate and aflording a curved bearing surface, and a springkey having one end engaging the rail base and the other end sharply bentto catch yieldinglv on the tie plate, and having an intermediate curvedportion complementary to the curved bearing surface of the fulcrummember and in contact therewith.

3. In combination with a rail and a tie plate having an angular surfacespaced from the rail base, a fulcrum member'carried on the tie plate andaffording a curved bearing surface, and a spring key having one endengaging the rail base and the other end sharply bent to catchyieldingly on the aforesaid angular surface of the tie plate, and havingan intermediate portion complementary to the curved bearing surface ofthe fulcrum memher and in contact therewith.

4. In combination with a rail and tie plate, a fulcrum member carried onthe tie plate and affording a curved bearing surface, and a key bent toform a spring loop, said key having one end engaging the rail base,having the other end engaging the tie plate, and having an intermediatecurved portion complemen tary to the curved bearing surface of thefulcrum member and in Contact therewith.

5. In combination with a rail. and a tie plate having an upstanding lugpunched therefrom to afford a fulcrum, a key bent to form a spring loop,said key having one end engaging the rail base, having the other inn endsharply bent to catch yieldingly in the tie plate opening formed by thepunching of said lug, and having an intermediate portion bearing on saidlug.

6. In combination with a rail, and a tie plate having an upstanding lugpunched therefrom to afford a fulcrum with a smoothly curved bearingsurface, a key bent to form a spring loop, said key having one endengaging the rail base, havin the other end sharp- 1y bent to catchyieldingly in the tie plate opening formed by the punching of said lug,and having an intermediate smoothly curved portion in contactwith curvedbearing surfacesof said lug.

7. In combination with a rail, a tie plate formed with a boss thereon,and a stirrup carried on said tie plate adjacent to said boss, a keybent to form a spring loop, said key having one end engaging the railbase, having the other end sharply bent to catch yieldingly on the edgeof said boss, and having an intermediate portion bearing on saidstirrup.

8. In combination with a rail, a tie plate formed with a boss thereon.vand a stirrup carried on said tie plate adjacent to said boss, saidstirrup having a smoothly curved surface at the inside thereof, and akey bent to form a spring loop, said key having one end engaging therail base, having the other end sharply bent to catch yieldingly on theedge of said boss, and having an intermediate smoothly curved portion incontact with the curved surface of said stirrup.

9. In combination with a rail, a tie plate formed with a boss thereon,and a stirrup carried on said tie plate adjacent to said boss, saidstirrup having a smoothly curved surface at the inside thereof, and akey bent to form a spring loop, said key having one end engaging therail base, having the other end sharply bent to catch yieldingly on theedge of said boss, and having an intermediate offset bowed portion witha surface complementary to the curved surface of said stirrup and inpressure contact therewith.

10. In combination with a rail and tie plate, a fulcrum member on thetie plate affording a curved bearing surface, a spring key having oneend engaging the rail base and the other end engaging the tie plate, andhaving an intermediate portion in the form of a succession of waves witha region complementary to the curved bearing surface of tlllfe fulcrum.member and in contact therewit 11. In combination with a rail and a tiecomplementary to the curved bearing surface of the fulcrum member and inpressure-pontact therewith.

12. In combination with a rail and a tie plate having a verticallyofiset portion with slots at the ends thereof, a stirrup of invertedU-shape having its ends passed through said slots and bent over beneathsaid offset portion, and a spring key fulcrumed at said stirrup forpressure contact on the rail base.

13. In combination with a rail and a tie plate having a verticallyoffset portion with slots at the ends thereof, a stirrup of invertedU-shape having a smoothly curved bearing surface andlhaving its endspassed through said slots and bent over beneath said offset portion, anda spring key fulcrumed at the curved bearing surface of said stirrup forpressure contact on the rail base.

14. In combination with a rail, and a tie plate having a U-shapedstirrup punched from the base thereof with its ends turned inward andafiording at the undersides thereof curved bearing surfaces, a springkey fulcrumed at said curved bearing surfaces for pressure contact onthe rail base.

15. In combination with a rail, and a tie plate having oppositeupstanding lugs punched therefrom and turned over at the ends to affordat the underside thereof curved bearing surfaces, a spring key fulcrumedat said curved bearing surfaces for pressure contact on the rail base.

16. In combination with a rail, and a tie plate having an end portionthereof turned upward to extend above the rail base, a fulcrum membercarried on the tie plate and affording a curved bearing surface at theunderside thereof, and a spring key having one end engaging the railbase and the other end engaging the turned end portion of the tie plate,and having an intermediate curved portion complementary to the curvedbearing surface of tile fulcrum member and in contact therewit 17. Incombination with a rail, and a tie K engaging the rail base and theother end sharply bent to catch yieldingly on the turned portion of thetie plate, and having an intermediate portion complementary to thecurved bearing surface of the fulcrum member and in contact therewith.

1.8. In combination with a rail. and a tie plate having an end portionthereof turned upwardto extend above the rail base, a fulcrum membercarried on the tie plate and afiording a curved bearing surface at theunderside thereof, and a spring key having one end engaging the railbase and the other end sharply bent to catch yieldingly on the turnedportion of the tie plate, and having an intermediate bowed portion incontact with the gurved bearing surface of the fulcrum mem- In testimonywhereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,this 6th day of July, 1931.

CHARLES D. YOUNG.

